All-Inclusive Age Standards

Often, in a given 5 year age category there are only 1 – 3 riders. It boosts incentive and interest if there are plausible, comprehensive, carefully worked out individual age standards for any race – Australian pursuit, massed start, hill climb (whether individual start, Australian pursuit, or massed start), or criterium (whether 25, 20, or 15 year spread). For any race a rider will have a reasonably objective, meaningful standard for comparing his performance with that of any other rider in the race including those significantly younger than he but in his own 10 year starting group.

It is easy to get overfocussed on times, results, competition. ‘Just enjoy the ride and athletic exhilaration’ is a useful reminder. Does it really matter if you are fastest in your own 5 or 10 year age group? For some a chief goal of cycle racing is to have a good work out and maintain mental and physical buoyancy and vitality rather than get ego gratification through beating the other guy. However, even with the former attitude it is useful to know where you stand in relation to other riders, your particular age, own past performance, and own particular athletic goals.

Age standards (allowances) for a massed start will be less (faster) than those for an Australian pursuit format for the same course or distance. More drafting benefit in the former. Similarly, age standards (allowances) for an Australian pursuit will be less (faster) than for an individual time trial format.